In a heartfelt tribute to the late Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, announced the decision to name a sports venue in her honor. This announcement comes following the tragic passing of Ms. Cheptegei, a Ugandan marathon runner, who was fatally attacked by her former partner on Sunday in Kenya, sustaining burns to over 80% of her body. Despite this tragic event, Ms. Cheptegei recently showcased her athletic prowess by competing in the Paris Games, marking her Olympic debut and finishing in 44th place.

Mayor Hidalgo expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, “She dazzled us here in Paris. We saw her. Her beauty, her strength, her freedom, and it was in all likelihood her beauty, strength, and freedom which were intolerable for the person who committed this murder.” The dedication of a sports facility to Ms. Cheptegei represents a commitment by the city of Paris to honor her legacy and to promote the ideals of equality upheld by the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

At the age of 33, Cheptegei becomes the third notable sportswoman to lose her life amid violence in Kenya since October 2021, raising concerns about the safety of women in sports. The Kenyan Sports Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, expressed that her death is a profound loss not only for Uganda but for the entire region.

In response to the circumstances surrounding Cheptegei’s death, the Chair of Uganda’s Athletes Commission, Ganzi Semu Mugula, emphasized the need for societal change, stating, “This is a critical moment not just to mourn the loss of a remarkable Olympian, but to commit ourselves to creating a society that respects and protects the dignity of every individual.” This tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing issues of gender-based violence and the necessity for collective societal commitment to address such injustices.

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